Cotopaxi Allpa 35L: Our First Adventure with a Unique Travel Pack
Several months ago, Cotopaxi introduced the Allpa, a new adventure travel backpack funded through an Indiegogo campaign. We saw the campaign soon after it launched because we received Cotopaxi’s marketing emails, and the bag immediately caught our attention.
A few days passed, and we realized we had both been returning to the campaign page and thinking about whether we should buy one. Eventually, we stopped pretending we were only looking and ordered two.
We chose the early-bird Allpa system, which included the 35-liter pack, an accessory kit, and a small Batac 16 daypack. Then we waited, somewhat patiently, from July until October for the bags to arrive.
We had a trip planned for the weekend after they were delivered, which gave us an immediate excuse to start packing. We packed, repacked, opened every zipper, and generally could not keep our hands off the bags until it was finally time to leave.
The most exciting and slightly stressful part of backing the campaign was waiting to see the Allpa in person. There were not many photographs available when we ordered, so we were not entirely sure what the finished pack would look or feel like. We loved both bags as soon as we opened the packages.
Packing the Allpa 35L
At 35 liters, the Allpa held more than enough for our four-day trip. Its clamshell opening made it feel more like a small suitcase than a traditional backpack, with separate zippered sections that kept everything organized.
A zipper ran around three sides of the bag, allowing it to open completely and lie flat. One side contained a large compartment with compression straps, a small internal pocket, and a zippered mesh cover to hold everything in place.
The opposite side had another zippered compartment that appeared smaller but swallowed far more than we expected. We packed sweatshirts, pajamas, undergarments, and our Bedrock sandals there. Two smaller pockets near the top held charging cords and other little items we wanted to keep organized.
The accessory kit included a mesh laundry bag, a nylon shoe bag, and a removable mesh water bottle holder.
We used the mesh bag as a packing cube for pants and T-shirts. The opaque nylon bag held socks, pajamas, and undergarments. Beyond keeping everything compressed and organized, the bags meant we could open the Allpa during airport screening without sending underwear tumbling across the security area.
Carrying Camera Gear
We normally used a small Timbuk2 Snoop camera insert to turn an ordinary backpack into a camera bag. The insert fit neatly inside the large side of the Allpa and gave our equipment a padded, protected compartment.
The front pocket was spacious enough for an iPhone, wallet, keys, Kindle, book, and other items we wanted during the flight. A jacket could have fit there, too.
Inside that compartment, a smaller zippered pocket gave me a secure place for my phone, wallet, and keys. I could pull out my Kindle without worrying that something important would fall onto the airplane floor.
A side-access zipper opened directly into the main compartment without requiring us to unfold the entire bag. This made it easy to remove the camera insert at airport security and slide it back inside afterward.
A padded sleeve against the back panel provided space for a laptop or tablet. We did not use it on this trip, but it would give our iPad a protected place to travel in the future.
Comfort and Carrying Options
The Allpa had a substantial harness system with padded shoulder straps and a hip belt. My bag was already full when we left, and I added several souvenirs for the trip home. It became fairly heavy, but the weight never felt uncomfortable across my shoulders or back.
The padding was supportive without feeling excessively bulky. The breathable back panel was especially welcome when we were moving quickly through the airport.
One side of the hip belt had a tiny zippered pocket. It was too small for a phone or wallet, but it held my driver’s license while we went through security. The hip belt and shoulder straps could also be tucked behind the back panel when we did not need them.
Stowing the harness turned the backpack into something closer to a duffel and prevented loose straps from catching on anything during travel. Grab handles on all four sides allowed us to lift or carry the bag in nearly any position.
The zippers also had small security loops that made them difficult to open quickly. They were not the same as locking the bag, but they added another obstacle for someone trying to unzip a pocket unnoticed.
Several lash points provided places to attach extra gear or secure the bag to something else. The pack also came with a rain cover, which was a welcome addition for a travel bag that would inevitably spend time outdoors.
The Batac 16 Del Día Daypack
Each Allpa system also came with a Batac 16 Del Día daypack. Cotopaxi’s Del Día bags were made from remnant materials, with the factory employees choosing the colors used in each design. No two bags were exactly alike.
Ours arrived in wonderfully bright combinations with plenty of contrasting colors. They were everything we hoped a Del Día pack would be.
The Batac rolled down small enough to fit inside the Allpa, then unfolded into a lightweight daypack when we wanted to leave the larger bags at our hotel or campsite. The shoulder straps were simple but comfortable, and small pockets on both sides could hold narrow water bottles.
An internal sleeve offered space for a small hydration reservoir, although we used it to carry papers and other flat items. There was also an interior zippered pocket for a wallet or phone.
A vertical zipper on the front opened into another quick-access compartment. Inside it, a mesh sleeve kept a small camera or phone from dropping to the bottom of the bag.
We used the Batacs every day of our trip while exploring and visiting people. They carried everything we needed without adding much weight, and their one-of-a-kind colors made them especially fun to use.
Our First Trip with the Allpa
After one four-day trip, the Allpa felt almost perfectly designed for the way we traveled. It was large enough to hold our clothing and camera equipment while still being comfortable to carry through an airport.
We packed both bags fairly full, but they did not look bulky once we put them on. The internal compartments kept us organized, and the side-access zipper made reaching our camera gear much easier than it would have been in a traditional suitcase.
I could see us using these bags for adventure travel, work trips, and simple overnight stays. They combined the organization of luggage with the freedom of carrying everything on our backs.
Our first adventure with the Allpa confirmed that backing the campaign had been a good decision. The bag was comfortable, secure, easy to organize, and well suited to traveling with camera equipment.
Cotopaxi also appealed to us as a company. Its outdoor gear helped support work addressing poverty and assisting vulnerable communities, which gave us another reason to feel good about our purchase.
Our cute little Zoe looked perfectly snug and content curled up inside the bag at home. 😻
Note: This post covers the original Cotopaxi Allpa 35L released through its crowdfunding campaign. Cotopaxi has since updated the pack, so some features and accessories differ from the current version.
